The present state of England. Part III. and Part IV. containing I. an account of the riches, strength, magnificence, natural production, manufactures of this island, with an exact catalogue of the nobility, and their seats, &c., II. the trade and commerce within it self, and with all countries traded to by the English, as at this day established, and all other matters relating to inland and marine affairs : supplying what is omitted in the two former parts ...

CHAP. LX. A View of Madrid, of the Trade, Coyns, Weights, and Measures there∣of.

MAdrid is Situate in the Provinces of Castill, and of late become famous, for being the place where for the most part the Spanish Court resides; and in it the Mo∣nies that are dispersed over Spain have their Original. This City abounds with all manner of Commodities, that either Spain, India, Barbary, Arabia, Persia, Egypt or other Countries affoard; as Spices, Gold, Silks, Drugs, Stuffs, Jewels, Drugs, and the like. The Native Commodities of this Province are Honey, Allum, Wine, Oyl, Fruits, Salt, &c.

The Measures and Weights are those common throughout Spain, but by Reason all the Coyns of the Kingdom Center here, I think it not amiss to set down their Names and true values.

1. The Ducat of Castil is worth 375 Maruedies.

2. The Castiliano 485 Maruedies.

3. The Florin of Castile is worth 265 Maruedies or near 4 Shillings Ster∣ling.

4. The Ducat Count or Quento of Marue∣dies is a Million.

5. The Count or Quento of Maruedies is Ducats 2666 2/3•• and at Dobra is accounted worth 2739 ••••/73 Dobras, the which accord∣ing to computation amounts to 733 pound 6 Shillings 8 pence Sterling.

6. The Ryal Single of Castile is worth 34 Maruedies or 6 pence Ster∣ling.

7. The Quento of Mar is worth 3258 Ryals and 3 Maruedies.

8. The Crown of Castile is worth 323 Maruedies.

9. The Ducat of Spain is 5 Shillings 6 pence of our money, the Ryal is 6 pence and the Maruedie about the bigness of one of our Farthings.

In this City when they give money up∣on Exchange, they commonly agree to be repayed in Ducats of Gold, or to the same value in Gold or Silver, for the most part by Weight to prevent the taking base money, with which Spain abounds, so that should they not take this course, they would often lose 4 or 5 per cent.

In this Province are yearly 4 Fairs or

great Marts, viz. at Medina Del Campo which lasts 50 days, at Medina de Riosecco which lasts 30 days, at Medina del Campo again which lasts 50 days, and lastly at Villa Lyon which lasts 20 days.

These Fairs, viz. the 3 first are Fairs of Exchange: And when they make pay∣ments they make them in Banco not say∣ing forth, and they are to remit in Ducats de Oro, in Oro Largo and forth of Banco, and when they agree forth of Banco, and for ready money there is got 1 per cent. and when they agree for Ducats of Gold or the worth of them, it is understood that the worth if the payment be not pay∣ed in Ducats, is to be payed in Maruedies at 375 to the Ducat. And thus much for Spain and the Trade thereof. And now I shall take a View of the Trade of the King∣dom of Portugal in her chief City, viz. Lis∣bon one of the 3 chief Scales of Europe.